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A great love and passion story unites the ARENA DI VERONA, with the life, dreams, and choices of a young man from Verona, who migrates to America at the end of the 1800s to become famous. And he returns to Verona to make, on August 10, 1913, the first Opera in the Arena: AIDA!
These are the contents of this article, proposed in our elegant "Story of the Opera History in the Arena," with professional artists, that we propose in the prestigious Hotel ACCADEMIA, still managed by the descendants of the great Tenor Giovanni Zenatello, in the heart of the city.
GIOVANNI ZENATELLO
Once upon a time, there was the Arena, built by the Romans as a place for events, shows, sharing, and fighting. Then, it was not abandoned, but it was not the cultural protagonist of the city.
There is a man, the tenor Giovanni Zenatello, who with his initiative, tenacity, desire to emerge, and a truly exceptional vision, managed to give his beloved Verona an invaluable treasure to manage and enhance.
Opera was born in the Arena in 1913, when Zenatello conceived, wanted, and funded the first operatic performance inside the monument. Since then, it has been delighting the seasons of this city, starting with that epic Aida by Giuseppe Verdi, still performed today in front of an increasingly curious and international audience.
THE FIRST OPERA
The first performance on August 10, 1913 was promoted, as we have seen, by the Veronese tenor Giovanni Zenatello, who took the financial risk, and by the theatrical entrepreneur Ottone Rovato, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi's birth. An idea born from the discussions of Mr. Rovato, Zenatello, Cusinati and Fagiuoli, which saw on the stage various great singers and artists.
The amphitheater was completely full: among the audience there were also Americans, Argentinians, Russians, and many Germans. The premiere was attended by important figures such as Giacomo Puccini, Arrigo Boito, Pietro Mascagni and Franz Kafka.
THE ARTISTS AND THE SETTING
In that first major Event, the conductor was Tullio Serafin, Aida was Ester Mazzoleni, Amneris was Maria Gay, Radames was Giovanni Zenatello, Ramfis was Mansueto Gaudio, and Amonasro was Giuseppe Danise.
The Premiere was an important event because it marked the birth of a new scenic style introduced by the architect Ettore Fagiuoli: traditional painted scenes, typical of theaters, were abandoned in favor of new three-dimensional elements. This innovation was well received by the audience, and indeed contributed to its success. The invention is still used today for almost all the works performed in the amphitheater.
THE HISTORY UP TO TODAY
From the following year, several private individuals managed the arena seasons, among whom Zenatello, the Lyrica Italica Ars company (1919-1920), the music publisher Sonzogno of Milan (1921-1922), and the impresario Gino Bertolaso (1923-1926).
A change in the stage settings occurred with the management of the Verona Fair Authority in 1930 and 1931, while in 1934 the Municipal Entertainment Committee was established, organizing the summer festival of that year.
In 1936, the Autonomous Authority for Lyric Performances Arena di Verona (Lyrical Entity Arena di Verona) was created, which has since managed the performances. The Authority is managed by a superintendent, to whom an artistic director has been added since 1967.
The festival was interrupted by the two world wars for ten years, then replaced by concerts during the Covid years
Speaking of the Opera at the Arena di Verona means entering an epic tale, which starts from Roman history and comes to the present days. On June 16, 2023, the first performance of the Hundredth Lyric Festival took place, with a new production of Aida; the most represented opera in the Arena.
On June 7, 2024, the Festival opened the season with a grand show celebrating the entry of Opera into the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
A container of history, art, music, tradition, and passion that makes Verona, once again, an unmissable destination.
At the link " Corporate Events", you will find the page dedicated to the Mice and Corporate world, with many ideas to combine all these excellences with your Brand and your Event.
At the link " Verona Arena Festival" you will find all the information about the Arena Opera Festival
For any questions, requests, or curiosity, we are at your disposal.
Silvano
Texts taken from Wikipedia and Hotel Accademia Verona, elaborated by Silvano Dalla Valentina
